Ring Keeper System and Method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a system and method for supporting jewelry, such as a ring, in a secure place. In one arrangement, a system may include a metal perimeter forming an accepting space, a loop secured to a top portion of the metal perimeter, a beveled surface on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter, and a lockable opening on the metal perimeter. At least a portion of the metal perimeter may be able to pass through the ring interior such that a necklace may be passed through the loop, a portion of a ring perimeter may be passed through the lockable opening when the lockable opening is open, the ring may be placed on the beveled surface, and the lockable opening may be closed in order to keep the ring secured within the accepting space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/412,951, filed Nov. 12, 2010.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention is generally related to a system and method for supporting jewelry, such as a ring, in a secure place while performing tasks that would be inconvenient or unsafe to perform while wearing the jewelry and tasks that may damage the jewelry of it is not secured out of harm's way.

2. Background

It is not uncommon that wearers of jewelry, such as rings, are called upon to operate machinery that may be dangerous to operate while wearing jewelry on the operator's fingers. It is also not uncommon that workers, for example waitresses, may find that wearing jewelry, such as a ring, may lead to accidents or inconvenience. Further, it is not uncommon that wearers are called upon to perform tasks that may harm jewelry that is worn on the hands or fingers. However, the wearers often do not have a secure and convenient place to put their jewelry while performing such tasks. Old systems, such as placing a ring in a pocket, are not sufficient to address the need when the clothes that are worn do not have pockets, or when the pockets have holes, or when the pockets also contain other items that may damage the jewelry. Old systems, such as placing the ring in a secure location, are not sufficient to meet the need when the tasks are being performed in places, such as work environments, where others may access the jewelry.

Prior systems and methods have proven inadequate for addressing the need for a secure place to conveniently place a ring. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,493, issued to Conway, discloses a body having an enlarged dimension at one end that prevents a ring from sliding off the body and a smaller dimension at a second end that readily receives the ring thereover, and a chain is so that the body and chain with the ring forms a bracelet or necklace and the chain simultaneously secures the ring from inadvertent removal over the second end, which is incorporated herein. However, the '493 Patent fails to allow conveniently securing the ring about the neck without removing the necklace.

Other attempts to address the inadequate for addressing the need for a secure place to conveniently place a ring include U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,516, issued to Uematsu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,708 issued to Elliott, U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,262, issued to Ferrara, U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,098, issued to Wayne, U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,621 issued to Gould, U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,119, issued to Newman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,042 issued to Starolis, U.S. Pat. No. 509,889 and 509,888 issued to Gaynor, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Although the problems described are not uncommon, the previous solutions that have been tried have failed to provide a convenient system for securing and storing jewelry, such as a ring.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a new and improved system and method for supporting jewelry, such as a ring, in a secure place. In one arrangement, a system or supporting jewelry, such as a ring, in a secure place, may be hung from a necklace and the system may support and secure a ring, the ring having a ring perimeter that forms a ring interior, the system may include a metal perimeter forming an accepting space, a loop secured to a top portion of the metal perimeter, a beveled surface on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter, and a lockable opening on the metal perimeter. At least a portion of the metal perimeter may be able to pass through the ring interior such that the necklace may be passed through the loop, a portion of the ring perimeter may be passed through the lockable opening when the lockable opening is open, the ring may be placed on the beveled surface, and the lockable opening may be closed in order to keep the ring secured within the accepting space.

In one arrangement, a method for supporting jewelry, such as a ring, in a secure place, may include the passing the necklace through a loop, the loop secured to a top portion of a metal perimeter; passing a portion of the ring perimeter through a lockable opening when the lockable opening is open; placing the ring on a beveled surface, the beveled surface being on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter; and closing the lockable opening in order to keep the ring secured within an accepting space, the accepting space being formed from the metal perimeter.

Other systems, methods, aspects, features, embodiments and advantages of the vehicle support disclosed herein will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, aspects, features, embodiments and advantages be included within this description, and be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are solely for purpose of illustration. Furthermore, the components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the system disclosed herein. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a system for securing jewelry that includes a first heart-shaped perimeter, showing the system in a closed disposition.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the system of FIG. 1A showing the system in an open disposition.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the system of FIG. 1A showing the system in a closed position and showing a ring secured within the heart-shaped perimeter.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the system for securing jewelry that includes a second heart-shaped perimeter, showing the system in a closed disposition.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a front view of the system of FIG. 2A showing the system in an open disposition.

FIG. 2D is a side view of the system of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the system for securing jewelry that includes a third heart-shaped perimeter, showing the system in a closed disposition.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view of a lockable opening portion of the third heart-shaped perimeter of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the system of FIG. 2A showing the system in an open disposition.

FIG. 3D is an enlarged side view of the lockable opening portion of the third heart-shaped perimeter of FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A is a front view of the system for securing jewelry that includes a fourth heart-shaped perimeter, showing the system in a closed disposition.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the system of FIG. 4A showing the system in an open disposition.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the system for securing jewelry that includes a circle-shaped perimeter, showing the system in a closed disposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description, which references to and incorporates the drawings, describes and illustrates one or more specific embodiments. These embodiments, offered not to limit, but only to exemplify and teach, are shown and described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice what is claimed. Thus, for the sake of brevity, the description may omit certain information known to those of skill in the art.

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a metal that forms a heart-shaped perimeter 100 in a closed disposition. The heart-shaped perimeter 100 forms a heart-shaped accepting space 102. The heart-shaped perimeter 100 is shown hung from a necklace 104 that passes through a loop 106. The loop 106 is shown secured to the heart-shaped perimeter 100 by a weld 108 at a top portion 100 a of the heart-shaped perimeter 100. A bottom portion 100 b of the heart-shaped perimeter 100 includes a beveled surface 110. The heart-shaped perimeter 100 also includes a lockable opening 112. In the exemplar embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the lockable opening 112 is formed by an imbedded spring 114 and a hinge 116.

FIG. 1B shows a front view of the heart-shaped perimeter 100 in an open disposition. In FIG. 1B, a movable portion 100 c of the heart-shaped perimeter 100 is shown swung inward toward the heart-shaped accepting space 102. In the open position shown in FIG. 1B, spring 114 is extended. Spring 114 provides a bias toward the closed disposition shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows the heart-shaped perimeter 100 in the closed disposition with a ring 118 supported by, and resting on, the beveled surface 110. The ring 108 may include a ring perimeter 118 a that may form a ring interior 118 b.

FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B. and FIG. 1C illustrate an exemplary system that may be hung from a necklace, such as necklace 104, and that may support and secure a ring, such as ring 118, the ring having a ring perimeter, such as ring perimeter 118 a, that forms a ring interior, such as ring interior 118 b. The exemplary system may include a metal that forms a metal perimeter, such as heart-shaped perimeter 100, about an accepting space, such as accepting space 102. A portion of the metal perimeter, such as bottom portion 102 b, may be able to pass through the ring interior, such as ring interior 118 b. The exemplary system may include a loop, such as loop 106, secured to a top portion of the metal, such as top portion 100 a. The exemplary system may include a beveled surface on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal, such as beveled surface 110 on an upper surface of bottom portion 102 b, and a lockable opening on the metal perimeter, such as lockable opening 112. The exemplary system may allow a user to pass the necklace, such as necklace 104, through the loop, such as loop 106, and a portion of the ring perimeter, such as ring perimeter 118 a, may be passed through the lockable opening, such as lockable opening 112, when the lockable opening is open, such as shown in FIG. 1B. The exemplary system may also allow the user to place the ring, such as ring 118, on the beveled surface, such as beveled surface 110. The system may then allow the user to close the lockable opening, such as by using lockable opening 112, in order to keep the ring secured within the accepting space, such as accepting space 102.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C, also illustrate an exemplary heart-shaped system for securing jewelry, such as ring 118, that includes a means, such as loop 106 and weld 108, for securing the system to a chain or string, such as necklace 104, that may be hung from the neck. The heart-shaped portion of the system, such as heart-shaped perimeter 100, may be formed from any convenient materials, such as but not limited to, metals, including platinum, silver, gold, and gold alloys, that have the strength to serve the purpose of keeping the jewelry securely stored while the user is performing tasks.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C, may also be used to illustrate a method for supporting and securing a ring, such as ring 118, from a necklace, such as necklace 104. The ring may have a ring perimeter, such as ring perimeter 118 a, that forms a ring interior, such as ring interior 118 b. The method may include the steps of: (a) passing the necklace through a loop, such as loop 106, where the loop is secured to a top portion, such as top portion 102 a of a metal perimeter, such as metal perimeter 102; (b) passing a portion of the ring perimeter through a lockable opening, such as lockable opening 112, when the lockable opening is open, such as illustrated in FIG. 1B, (c) placing the ring on a beveled surface, such as beveled surface 110, the beveled surface being on an upper surface of a bottom portion, such as bottom portion 100 b, of the metal perimeter; and (d) closing the lockable opening in order to keep the ring secured within an accepting space, such as accepting space 102, the accepting space being formed from the metal perimeter.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a metal that forms a second heart-shaped perimeter 120 in a closed disposition. The heart-shaped perimeter 120 forms a heart-shaped accepting space 122. The heart-shaped perimeter 120 is shown hung from the necklace 104 that passes through the loop 106. The loop 106 is shown secured to the heart-shaped perimeter 120 by weld 108 at a top portion 120 a of the heart-shaped perimeter 120. A bottom portion 120 b of the heart-shaped perimeter 100 includes the beveled surface 110. The heart-shaped perimeter 120 also includes a lockable opening 124. In the exemplar embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the lockable opening 124 is formed by an imbedded spring 126, a hinge 128, and mating surfaces 130.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the second heart-shaped perimeter 120 of FIG. 2A in a closed position. FIG. 2B shows a first undulating portion 120 c of the heart-shaped perimeter 120 and a second undulating portion 120 d of the heart-shaped perimeter 120. The mating surfaces 130 include the first undulating portion 120 c and the second undulating portion 120 d.

FIG. 2C shows a front view of the heart-shaped perimeter 120 in an open disposition. In FIG. 2C, the first undulating portion 120 c of the heart-shaped perimeter 120 is shown separated from the second undulating portion 120 d of the heart-shaped perimeter 120, while hinge 128 is open and imbedded spring 126 is extended. The separation of the first undulating portion 120 c and the second undulating portion 120 d biased by imbedded spring 126 forms the lockable opening 124. Spring 126 provides a bias toward the closed disposition shown in FIG. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2D shows a side view of the second heart-shaped perimeter 120 of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C in an open position.

FIG. 3A shows a front view of a metal that forms a third heart-shaped perimeter 300 in a closed disposition. The heart-shaped perimeter 300 forms a heart-shaped accepting space 302. The heart-shaped perimeter 300 is shown hung from the necklace 104 that passes through the loop 106. The loop 106 is shown secured to the heart-shaped perimeter 300 by weld 108 at a top portion 300 a of the heart-shaped perimeter 300. A bottom portion 300 b of the heart-shaped perimeter 300 includes the beveled surface 110. The heart-shaped perimeter 300 also includes a lockable opening 304. In the exemplar embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the lockable opening 304 is formed by an imbedded spring loaded pivot hinge 306, and a hook and socket lock 308. Imbedded spring loaded pivot hinge 306 permits the bottom portion 300 b, from break 310, to swing toward the viewer of FIG. 3A, as illustrated by arrow 320, while top portion 300 a remains flat.

FIG. 3B shows an enlarge view of the hook and socket lock 308 of FIG. 3A. Hook and socket lock 308 allows a hook 312 on the bottom portion 300 b to enter socket 314 on the top portion 300 b where an imbedded spring 316 may force a latch 318 to lock hook 312 into socket 314. Latch 318 may slightly extend from the heart-shaped perimeter 300, as shown in FIG. 3A, in order that the user may lift latch 318 in order to permit hook 312 to leave socket 314.

FIG. 3C shows a front view of the heart-shaped perimeter 300 of FIG. 3A in an open disposition. Imbedded spring loaded pivot hinge 306 may be biased to force to the heart-shaped perimeter 300 to the open position shown in FIG. 3C, as illustrated by Arrow 320, while engagement of the hook and socket lock 308 may keep heart-shaped perimeter 300 in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D shows an enlarge view of the hook and socket lock 308 of FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A shows a front view of a metal that forms a fourth heart-shaped perimeter 400 in a closed disposition. The heart-shaped perimeter 400 forms a heart-shaped accepting space 402. The heart-shaped perimeter 400 is shown hung from the necklace 104 that passes through the loop 106. The loop 106 is shown secured to the heart-shaped perimeter 400 by weld 108 at a top portion 400 a of the heart-shaped perimeter 400. A bottom portion 400 b of the heart-shaped perimeter 400 includes the beveled surface 110. The heart-shaped perimeter 400 also includes a lockable opening 404. In the exemplar embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the lockable opening 404 is formed by an imbedded spring 406 and slide 408.

FIG. 4B shows a front view of a metal that forms a fourth heart-shaped perimeter 400 in an open disposition. Slide 408 may be manipulated toward imbedded spring 406 by using slide handle 410 to open lockable opening 404.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a metal that forms a circle-shaped perimeter 500 in a closed disposition. The circle-shaped perimeter 500 forms a circle-shaped accepting space 502. The circle-shaped perimeter 500 is shown hung from the necklace 104 that passes through the loop 106. The loop 106 is shown secured to the circle-shaped perimeter 400 by weld 108 at a top portion 500 a of the circle-shaped perimeter 500. A bottom portion 500 b of the circle-shaped perimeter 500 includes the beveled surface 510. The circle-shaped perimeter 500 may also include a lockable opening (not shown in FIG. 5) of any of the forms shown in regard to the prior heart-shaped perimeters 100, 120, 300, and 400.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or variant described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or variants. All of the embodiments and variants described in this description are exemplary embodiments and variants provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and not necessarily to limit the scope of legal protection afforded the appended claims.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use that which is defined by the appended claims. The following claims are not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments and modifications will readily occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, the following claims are intended to cover all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings. 

1. A system that may be hung from a necklace and that may support and secure a ring, the ring having a ring perimeter that forms a ring interior, the system comprising: a metal perimeter forming an accepting space, at least a portion of the metal perimeter being able to pass through the ring interior; a loop secured to a top portion of the metal perimeter; a beveled surface on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter; and a lockable opening on the metal perimeter; whereby the necklace may be passed through the loop, a portion of the ring perimeter may be passed through the lockable opening when the lockable opening is open, the ring may be placed on the beveled surface, and the lockable opening may be closed in order to keep the ring secured within the accepting space.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the accepting space is heart-shaped.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the accepting space is circle-shaped.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the accepting space is ribbon-shaped.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockable opening includes a hinge and an imbedded spring.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockable opening includes a movable portion of the metal perimeter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockable opening includes a plurality of mating surfaces.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockable opening includes a hook and a socket.
 9. A method for supporting and securing a ring from a necklace, the ring having a ring perimeter that forms a ring interior, the method comprising the steps of: passing the necklace through a loop, the loop secured to a top portion of a metal perimeter; passing a portion of the ring perimeter through a lockable opening when the lockable opening is open; placing the ring on a beveled surface, the beveled surface being on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter; and closing the lockable opening in order to keep the ring secured within an accepting space, the accepting space being formed from the metal perimeter.
 10. A system that may be hung from a necklace and that may support and secure a ring, the ring having a ring perimeter that forms a ring interior, the system comprising: a metal perimeter forming an accepting space, at least a portion of the metal perimeter being able to pass through the ring interior; a means for securing a loop to a top portion of the metal perimeter; a beveled surface on an upper surface of a bottom portion of the metal perimeter; and a means for lockably opening the metal perimeter; whereby the necklace may be passed through the loop, a portion of the ring perimeter may be passed through the metal perimeter, the ring may be placed on the beveled surface, and metal perimeter may be closed in order to keep the ring secured within the accepting space. 